SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraq and Saudi Arabia discussed closer security and economic cooperation between the two countries, following a visit by Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman.
The Saudi official accompanied by a delegation arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday for talks with senior Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih.
Kadhimi and Prince Khalid discussed cooperation in the war against Islamic State (ISIS) militants, according to a statement by the premier’s office.
The prime minister ordered the security leaders in the Ministry of Defense to strengthen security cooperation with their Saudi counterparts in a way that serves the stability and security of the two countries, the statement read.
Kadhimi also urged the Saudi government to tap investment opportunities in Iraq, particularly rebuilding the cities affected by the ISIS war.
The Saudi deputy minister also met the Iraqi president and discussed ways of boosting relations between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
An Iraqi official and a diplomat told AFP that the talks had addressed broader regional issues, and had involved Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Iraq, squeezed between Iran to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south, has been trying to establish itself as a mediator since the defeat of ISIS militants in late 2017.
The meeting came after Baghdad hosted talks between the kingdom and its regional rival Iran to discuss a thaw in relations.
